Combined bumper and feeder



Y N. 1 HARMON v'COMBINED BUMPER AND FENDER a oh 5.v 1926 ATTORNEY 1927. l Feb 8 N. l.. HARMON COMBINED BUMPER AND FENDER Filed March 5. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 8, 1927.

' N. l.. HARMON COMBINED BUMPER AND FENDER Filed Merch 54 1926 INVENTOR 11n-roV RNEY 1927. Feb 8 N. l.. HARMON COMBINED BUMPER AND FENDER INVENTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 8, 1927. l

NE-LLIE L. I-IARMON, OF BUWERSTON, OHIO. i V

COMBINED BUMPER AND FEEDER.

Application filed Iarch 5y 1926. Serial No 92,522.

This invention relates to means for handling cars in mining and other operations where the travel of cars upon tracks is controlled,` and more particularly to what I term a combined bumper and feeder.

One of theA main objects of the invention 1s to provide an apparatus of the character stated of comparatively simple construction and 'operation which will prevent the cars from being subjected to excessive jars and strains. A further object is to provide an apparatus including shock absorbing means associated with bumper membersfor contact with the bumpers of the cars so as to relieve the car axles of strains which would tend to break the same. j Y l Another object is to provide an apparatus of this character which can be operated at highspeed so as to feed cars onto dumps, cages, and other structures very rapidly effectino' a material savino' of time as com-V pared to feeders now commonly used, which is an important consideration in mining 'operations. Other objects will appear from the detailed. description.

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of a combined bumper `and feeder constructed in accordance with my invention. c

. Fig.2 is a side View of the saine. l

Fig. 3 is a side view of the bumper block and members carried thereby and associated parts.'

Fig. 4 is a section taken line 4 4 of Fig. 1. n

Fig. 5 is a. plan view of a modiiied form of the 'combined bumper and feeder.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the combined bumper aid feeder illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail of thespring and assosubstantially on j ciated parts for completing the throw of the rock shaft in either direction. Y

Fi 8 isa detail of the hinged trip arm. Fig. 9 is a plan View of another modified form of the combined bumper and feeder.V

Fig. 10 isa side View of the form illustr'ated in Fig. 9.

For the purposes of description l have illustrated my combined bumper and feeder as used in connection with a cage, though` it is equally well adapted for use in connection withvarious types of dumps and other structures used in mining operations. Also,

. are fed.

this combined bumper and feeder `can be used for controlling the travelof Vca'rs on tracks in other positions, such 'as controlling. the feeding of cars over a knuckle, ldown an incline7 vontov scales, etc. `v

' My inventionis used l a trackik including rails ci' upon which cars travel. Preferably', thev portion of the track upon which the bumper and feeder is mounted-is inclined at a sharper.- grade than theremainder of the vtrack so as to provide a bend or knuckle B over which the cars Vhen the cars are held on track A the second car is sri-positioned that the front wheels thereof are a shorty 'distance beyond the stops so that this .car lwill readily start down'tlie more steeply inclined portion of the track when desired.- This construction isv known and need not be Vfurther described in detail.V i A rock shaft l is i'ockably mounted between rails a in bearings 2 secured to cross ties or other suitable supports. The cross head'S- is secured to shaft 1 andthe arms of this cross head are connectedby links 4 to arms of stopsG which are slidably and rock-- ably Amounted 'on pintle rods 7 secured in bearing members 8 which are secur-ed't'othe rails a. Cushion springs y.9 are mounted about rods 7 and confin'e'd'betweenstops 6 and the inner bearing members lSfto cushion movement of the stops.- Th'e connection be. tween the stops and the shaft, as well lais thev method ofv mounting and cushioningy the stops, is known and need not be describedV in detail. The-stops are thus mounted adjacent the rails a yfor movement into open iny connection withV and closed positions'relative thereto. Shaft 1 is turned in stop .opening direction by a tension spring 10 Ythe inner end. of which is secured to a finger 11 of a collar 12 secured' 'Y on shaft 1. The vouter end 'of this spring is securedto a. plate 13 4which is .secured to and dependsl from one of the ,-railsa, or maybe anchored in any other suitable or pref ferred' manner. f

le. Yplate v14 is secured between rails A1f/in advance of stops 6. A block lisslidably Y mormted on the rods 16 which are mounted in supporting members-17 andv 18 securedto plate' 14.*V parallelism with the rails" 'a and support the block 15 for movement longitudinally ofv rFliese rods l 16 are disposed infy L l. wheels of the succeeding car.

the lirstcar to travel along` .the track past the track. Movement of the block in a direction away from stops 6 is cushioned byV springs 19 and 20 mounted about the rods and confined between the block and supporting member 18. The spring 20 is appreciably stronger than the springs 19 and acts to cushion the block 15 after the springs 19 have been Vplaced under compression, all of the springs coacting to absorb any shocks or jars incident to the stopping of a car by the bumper members 21 carried by the block, Members 21 are mounted for vertical sliding movement through block 15 and are connected at their lower ends by a bar 22. Th

Vends of this bar are connected by springs 23 toy lugs 24k extending from the end of block 15, these springs acting to hold Vbumper menibersi21 inraised position. in arm 25 is secured on shaft 1V and is provided with a finger 26 which extends above bar 22. `When the'shaft is rockedfor turnedin stop closing direction, bar 22 is depressed by finger 26V so as to lower'the bumper members 21 out of contact withthe bumper C of a car C supported upon the track above members 21. At the saine time that the bumper members 21 'are'depressech the stops (l are closed so as to be positioned in advance of theffront This permits the members 21 and the second car moves along the track ashort distance until its front weels contact with the stops 6. A s the travel of this second car is but very slight, the springs 9 act to Veffectively cushion this ear and the axle of the'front car of' the trip can be directed from the track fi. ontoV some other track. For convenience in description I have illustrated Ythis apparatus as Aused in conjunction with a cage B, which is provided with a trip member 27 disposed to con-v tact with linger' 28'of atrip crank28 secured `on the end of shaft 1' adjacent the shaft or pit in which the cage operates. As the cage is lowered into loading positien member 27 contacts with finger 2SL kand turns the shaftlin stop closing direction, moving the bumper members 21 downwardly out of contactY with bumper Cl of the rst carC. the i members 21 being depressed sufliciently to insure that they will clearthe axles of the car. This permits the first carv C to travel downwardly Vonto the cage, the second car being held back by the'stops 6.V The cage B 'is'provided with any known or suitable means for receiving the car and retaining it in position upon the cage. As the cage is raised trip crank 28 is released and spring 1() acts to turn the shaft 1 in stop opening direction. This opens the stops 6 and raises the bumper members 21 permitting the trip to move downwardly or forwardly on track A. until the first carfcontacts with the bumper n'ieiiibers. The springs 19 and 20 act to absorb any jars or shocks due to contact of the bumper C of the car with themembers 21. As the members 21 and block 15 and associated parts possess great strength all danger of injury to the feeder when the cars move forwardly is eliminated. It is also to be noted that the bumper C of the vcar contacts with the members 21 so that the axles of the car are not subjected to any jars or strains. This elfectually eliminates all danger of breakage of the car axlessuch as is apt to occur where cars are used with comparatively light or thin axles, or the cars are very heavily' loaded. This is an important consideration in that movement of the cars'is effectually cushioned and all danger of injury to the cars or to the feeder is e'i'ectually eliminated. Then the cage is returned to loading position the shaft 1 is againV rocked in stop opening direction and the operation above described is repeated. lllhere the apparatus is used on a track for feeding care to a cagel dump, scale or other structure and it is not practical to operate the appara tus by the cage or dump, the shaft 1 may be turned in stop opening direction by a pedal or lever connected thereto in a known manner. The means for turning the shaft 1 will vary to a certain extent in accordance with the use to which the feeder is ,put but the operation of the feeder itself will be the same in all instances.

Tn Figures 5v and 6 I have illustrated a modified-form of feeder' in which an arm 29 is secured on shaft 1 in advance of the bumper construction. This` arm is positioned to be engaged by an arm 30 secured on a stub shaft 31 rockably mounted on one of the rails a. A second arm 32 is secured on the outer end of the. stub shaft and is provided with a treadle plate 33 which is adapted, whendepressed, to lit into a cut out 341 inthe ball of the rail, the plate 33 being flush with the tread of the rail so as to forni i a continuation thereof.` The trip crank 28 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is replaced by a trip arm fl'whicli has a nose yportion 36 hinged at 37 tothe body portion 55'LL ofthe arm in suchrmanner as to permit relative upward movement of nose-portioii Sdwhile reif/,24a

39 is secured on the Outer end ofshaft l and Ais connected by a tension spring 40 to a plate Cil 41 secured to'one of the rails a. AThis spring is so disposed as to complete the throw of theshaft in either direct-ion after the shaft has been turneda predetermined distance in such direction, the spring alsoacting to normally hold the shaft against turning movement. An arm 42 is Vsecured on shaft l and is provided with a finger 43 which extends above bar 22, this arm being so disposed that it is in substantially vertical position when the bumper members 21 are lowered. isv the cage B moves into loading position member' 38 contacts with nosel 3.6 of

arm 35` and turns shaft l in stop closing direction, the throw of the shaft in such direction being completed by spring 40 Which then acts to hold the shaftin such position i With :t1-m42 disposed substantially vertical of the shaft turns arm 42 in such positlon'V as to permitthe bumper members 2l to be raised by springs 23 into position tov contact with bumper C of the first or enteringcar of the trip. Upon return of the cage to loading position the shaft is again turned in stop opening. direction and the operation above described is repeated. In this form of feeder and bumper, the front car of the trip is` permitted to travel as far as the bumper members 2l While the cage is being raised, the car being released from the stops 6v prior to entry of the firstcar onto the cage.. This renders it possible to cut out the cars from the Vtrip and feed them onto the cages, dump, scales or other structure, very rapidly, which is frequently a very important consideration in mining 'and other op.- erations Where the travel yof cars on tracks is to be controlled. x i

In the inodiiied form illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, arms 43, constructed similarly to arm 35, are secured on shaft l adjacent .the ends of the bumper construction. rfhese arms are disposed to engage beneath foot elements 44a of angle members 44 extending downwardly from bars 45 connected at one end by a retaining rail 46 rigidly secured to bars 45 and disposed adjacent and parallel-to one'of the track rails a. When cage B approaches loading position trip member 38 contacts with arm 37 turning shaft l, in stop closing` direction and lowering members 2l. 'lhewheels of the entering car bearupon retaining rail 45 until after vthe turning l0 acting to turn the'shaft 1in stop open-.

ing direction, this movement of the. shaft ralsing members 2l into operative'position for Contact with the' bumper ofA the'second' car. Turning ofthe sha'ft into stop openingv position also raises arms 43 into normal position above. elements 44a of members 44.

Upon return ofthe dump-to loading posii tion the operation described is repeated. The provision of the retaining rail 46V and associated parts ensures that the members will not be raised rand the stops 6, Will not be opened until the released car has. passed well beyond thebumper construction.' `This impartsv an additionalk factor of safetyand i accuracyrto the apparatus asa Whole.

As above indicated, and as Will be under-,

stood, changes in constructionand arrangementof parts of the invention may be re-zy sorted to Without departing from the field and scope of the same, and I intend tofinclude all` such variations, as fall Within the scope of the appended claims, i'nthis ap-A plication in Which the preferred forms only of my invention are disclosed.V

lVhat I claim is: f

l.r In acombined feeder and bumper, a track, stops movable into and out of car holding position relative to the track, members mounted on thevtrack beyond the stops'andl movable into and'out of position to contact with the bumper of a car travelling on the track, and car controlled means for moving the stops into car holding position and said members into inoperative position, and vice versa.

lll() 2. In a combined feeder and bumper, a

track, stops movable into and out of car holding position relative to the track, members mounted on the track'beyond the stops and movable into and out of position to contact With the bumperv of a cartravelling on the track, a rookably mounted shaft. means for moving the stops into inoperative position and said members into operative position and vice versa, in accordance vwith rockf lng of the shaft, car controlled means for rocking the shaft;v .Y

3. In a combined feeder and bumper,- a

track, stops movable into and out of car holding position reiative to thettrack, a

bumper structure including members mount-l ed to be raised; and lowered Into andv out Vof ing position and raising said members, and

vice versa. l

v4f. In a combined feeder and bumper, a track, stops movable into and out -of car holding position relative to the track, a bumper structure including members mounted to be raised and lowered into and out of position to contact With the bumper of a cai' travelling on said track, means Vfor moving the stops into car holding position and loirer-ing said members, and vice versa, and car actuated means for raising said members and moving the stops out of car lioldingposition when the car has passed beyond the bumper members. Y

In a combined feeder and bumper, a track, stops mounted Vadjacent the iails of the track and movable into and out of 'closed position relative thereto, a bumper structure beyond the stops including members mounted to be raised and .lowered into and out of -position to contact With'the bumper of a car travelling on the track, aarockably mounted shaft, connections between the shaft and the stops for. opening andclosiiig thestops in accordance with rockingl of the sliaft,'means for raising said bumper members when Vthe shaft is turned in stop Vopening direction, and vice versa, and car controlled means for rocking the shaft.V Y

6. ln a 'combined feeder and bumper, "a track, stops' mounted adjacent the rails of the track and movable into and out of closed position relative thereto, a bumper structure beyond the stops includingl members mounted to be raised andloWered into and out of position to contact With the bumper of a car travelling on the track, means for.

lowering the bumper members and closing the stops and Vice versa, means for holding said members lowered and the stops closed, and car actuated means for releasing the bumper members and the stops and for raising -said members and opening. the stops when the car has passed beyondtlie bumper members.

ftact with the bumper of a car travelling on the track, and car controlled means-for openi ing said stops and for moving said members into position to contact with' the bumper of the` car, and vice versa.

' 8. In aV combined feeder and bumper, a

track, supporting members on the track, rods carried by said members, a block slidably mounted on ythe rods for movementlongitudiiially of the track, means cushioning movement of the block, bumper members slidably mounted on the block for vertical movement, and means for raising and lowering saidL bumper members.

9. In a combined feeder and bumper, a track, supportingmembers on the track, rods carried by said members, a block slidably mounted on the rods for movement longitudinally of the track bumper members mounted in said block, means cushioning movemeans cushioning means urging the Vbumper members into raised position, a

i-ockably mounted eriiig the bumper isiocked in one direction. Y f

ll. ina combined feeder and bumper, a

sliaft,'aiid means for lowtrack, supporting members on the track, rods carried by said members, a blockY slid-- ably mounted on the rods for movement longitudinally of the track bumper members mounted in said block, means cushioning movement of the block, a bar connecting the bumper members, means acting Vto raise the bar While permitting it to beY depressed, aV

rockably mounted shaft, and an arm secured on the shaft and havingv a member extending over the bar for depressing the samev whenY the shaft is rocked in one direction.

l2. In a combined feeder and bumper, a track, supporting members on the track, rods carried by said members, block slidably mounted on the rods for linoveinentlongitudinally ofthe track, bumper members mounted on the block and movable into andl out of .position`V to Contact With thebumper of a car travelling on taie track, means for moving said bumper members into inoperative position, and means for moving the bumper members into operative position after the car has passed beyond tliersame.

13. ln a combined feeder and` bumper, 'af

track, supporting members on' the track, rods carried by'said members, a block slidably mounted on the rods for movement longitudinally of the track, bumper members mounted on the block and movable'into and out of position to Contact 'With'tlie bumper K ofv a car travelling on the track, means for moving said'buinper members into inoperaposition, means urging 'the bumper members into operative position, and means ,for rebumper members members when the shaft tiver position and for holding them in such leasingy the bumper members after the car has passed beyond the saine. Y

14. In a combined feeder and bumper, a track, supporting members onv the track, rods carried by said members, ablock slid- Vably mounted on the rods for movement position relative thereto, bumper members l on the track spaced from the stops and movable into and out of position to contact with the bumper of a car on the track, a rockably mounted shaft, connections between Y the shaft for closing and opening` the stops inl accordance With rocking of the shaft, means urging the shaft in stop closing direction, means urging the bumper members into operative position, the shaft and the bumper members being provided with cooperating means for moving the bumper-members into inoperative position ivlien the shaft isturned in stop closingdirection and for releasing said members when said shaft is turned in stop opening direction, and car actuated means for turning the shaft'in stop opening direction.

16. In a combined feeder and bumper, a track, stops mounted adjacent the rails of the Atrack and movable into open and closed positio-n relative thereto, bumper members on the track spaced from the stops andV movable into and out of position to contact with the bumper of a cai' on the track, `a rockablyv mounted shaft, connections between the shaft for closing and opening th-e stops in accordance With rocking of theshaft, means urging the shaft in stop closing direction, means urging the bumper members into operative position, means for moving the bumpermembers into inoperative position and holding them in such position when the shaft isV turned in stop closing direction, and car actuated means for turning the shaft in stop opening direction and releasing the bumper members when a car has passed beyond the same.

Y 17. In a combined vfeeder and bumper, a

track, stops mounted adjacent the rails of 'the track and movable into open and closed position relative thereto, bumper membersl on the track spaced from the stops and movable into and out of position 'to contact With the bumper of a car on the track, a rockably "mounted shaft,connections between the shaft `inenfibers into operative position, lmeans for iiioving-the bumper members into'inoperative position and holding them in such position ivlien the shaft is turnedin stop closing` direction, and means actuated by a car trav lling on the track beyond the bumper members for turning the sliaftin stopopening direction and releasing .said members.`

18. In a combined feeder and` bumper, a track, stops mounted adjacentthe rails of the track and movable yinto open Vand closed position relative thereto, bumper members on the track spaced from the stops and movable into and out of position to contact With the bumper of a-car on the track, a rockably mounted shaft, connections between the shaft for closing and opening the stops in accordance with rocking of the shaft, means for completing turning of the shaft in either' a member mounted on the track and disposed to' be depressed by a car travelling on the'V track beyond the bumper members, and an arm connected to the track member for turning Vmovement 'therewith and, positioned to contact with the shaft arms, said arms being disposed to turn the shaft in stop opening direction when the track member is depressed. f

19. In a combined feeder and bumper, a track, stops movable into open and'closed positions relative tothe track rails, a bumper structure including ymembers movable into and vvout of .position to Contact with the bumper of a car traveling onthe track, means for opening the stops and moving the bumper members into operative position and vice versa and for urging the stops in closing direction, and car controlled meansfor. holding the stops openand then releasing them after a released car has passed beyond the bumper structure. v

l20. Ina combinedfeeder and bumper, a track, stops movable into open and closed positions relative to the track rails, a rockably mounted shaft, connections between the stops andthe shaft for opening and closing said stops in accordance With turning of the shaft, a bumper structure beyond the stops and including members lmovableinto and out ofposition to contact With the bumper of a car travelingon the track, yielding means urging the bumper members into operativeposition, yielding means urging the shaft in stop opening direction, Ythe bumper' in stop closing direction, a retaining rail adwith said retaining rail and with the shaft jacent ythe bumper structure and disposed Vfor holding the shaft in stop closing posiclosely adjacent and parallel to one of the tion When the retaining` rail is held in loW- IO track` rails to be held in lowered position.V by ered position and for releasing the shaft the Wheels of' the car, said retaining rail when the retaining` rail is released.l

having free upward movement When re- In testimony whereof I aiiiX my sio'natui'e.

, leased, and cooperating means associated NELLIE L. I-IARON. 

